Sustainability second nature at green art festival

Boreen Point and satellite locations across the region will come alive from Friday 31 May to Sunday 9 June 2013 to celebrate Sunshine Coast Council’s Floating Land 2013.

Division 12 Councillor Tony Wellington said the 10-day festival, would explore environmental themes through creative art practice, while also educating community members about incorporating environmentally sustainable practices into their everyday lives.

“Celebrating its 7th iteration, Floating Land offers a cultural smorgasbord of over 150 free events to be held at Boreen Point and other locations across the region,” Cr Wellington said.

“The festival will incorporate a range of art forms, presentations and interactive activities including written and spoken word, traditional and contemporary dance, film screenings, satire, visual art exhibitions, studio trails, storytelling, weaving workshops, poetry and concerts.”

Award-winning Sunshine Coast-based digital media expert, James Muller is just one of the many artists taking part in Floating Land 2013, and will collaborate with renowned contemporary Pacific Island artist Michel Tuffery to deliver the Reading Clouds: Floating Middens project.

Mr Muller said the installation would acknowledge the history, physical geography and navigational links of the wider Pacific region and its peoples.

“The installation asks us to consider the way we perceive our environment and suggests that by spending time observing and ‘reading’ the natural signs, a deep knowledge is revealed that can be used to develop systems for a sustainable future,” Mr Muller said.

“The project considers ideas of perception, sensory cartography and how a genuine knowledge of place can define movement in physical and cultural forms.”

“The use of giant-size shells in the installation also bears reference to human activity in years gone by, and is symbolic of Tangaroa, a well-known creator embedded throughout Pacific Mythology.”

Consisting of recycled, translucent and reflective materials as well as renewable fibres like bamboo, elements of the instalment will move and respond to the changing sunlight and winds at Lake Cootharaba in Boreen Point. Solar powered LED lighting and video projection will also transform the installation during the evening, creating a unique day and night experience.

Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said Floating Land 2013 offered something for all ages and walks of life, with plenty of family-friendly activities on offer throughout the 10-day festival, as well as hands-on workshops and presentations for art lovers and environment advocates.

“Floating Land is already renowned within the international arts community as being one of Australia’s leading green art events, and we are really looking forward to having the broader Sunshine Coast population enjoy this year’s festival as well,” she said.

A number of artists including musician Linsey Pollak, weaving expert Kris Martin and members of the Gubbi Gubbi community also form part of the recently-released Floating Land 2013 program.

Visit the website for more information and to view the festival program.